Cost of Living: Djibouti vs Singapore

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Djibouti and Singapore.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Djibouti is 63.1% cheaper than Singapore. The biggest difference is in Household Utilities, where costs are 229.1% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Singapore, you would spend about $37 in Djibouti for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 79.3%

Djibouti is 79.3% cheaper

Transportation 75.3%

Djibouti is 75.3% cheaper

Rent Per Month 71.4%

Djibouti is 71.4% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 63.1%

Djibouti is 63.1% cheaper than Singapore

Most Expensive Categories

  • Household Utilities +229.1%
  • Mobile and Internet +60.7%
  • Salaries And Financing +20.1%

Is Djibouti cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Djibouti is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Djibouti are 63.1% lower than in Singapore.

Where Djibouti is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 79.3% cheaper
  • Transportation 75.3% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 71.4% cheaper

Where Djibouti is more expensive:

  • Household Utilities 229.1% more expensive
  • Mobile and Internet 60.7% more expensive
  • Salaries And Financing 20.1% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Djibouti: 8.42 $ Singapore: 10.90 $
22.8% cheaper in Djibouti

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Djibouti: 1,431.90 $ Singapore: 3,140.74 $
54.4% cheaper in Djibouti

Monthly public transport pass

Djibouti: 21.18 $ Singapore: 93.46 $
77.3% cheaper in Djibouti

1 liter of milk

Djibouti: 2.53 $ Singapore: 3.01 $
15.9% cheaper in Djibouti

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Djibouti is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would save approximately 63.1% on living expenses by choosing Djibouti over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

63.1%

Djibouti is 63.1% cheaper than Singapore

Restaurants

2.3%

Djibouti is 2.3% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Markets

41.3%

Djibouti is 41.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Other Expenses

79.3%

Djibouti is 79.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Transportation

75.3%

Djibouti is 75.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Household Utilities

229.1%

Djibouti is 229.1% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Mobile and Internet

60.7%

Djibouti is 60.7% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Sports And Leisure

15.2%

Djibouti is 15.2% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Childcare

70.7%

Djibouti is 70.7% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Clothing And Shoes

32.1%

Djibouti is 32.1% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Rent Per Month

71.4%

Djibouti is 71.4% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Property Prices

36.9%

Djibouti is 36.9% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Salaries And Financing

20.1%

Djibouti is 20.1% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Djibouti Singapore Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 8.42 $ 10.90 $ 22.8%
Djibouti is 22.8% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 81.42 $ 77.88 $ 4.5%
Djibouti is 4.5% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 11.23 $ 7.79 $ 44.2%
Djibouti is 44.2% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 3.65 $ 4.88 $ 25.2%
Djibouti is 25.2% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.90 $ 1.68 $ 13.1%
Djibouti is 13.1% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.87 $ 1.22 $ 53.3%
Djibouti is 53.3% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.56 $ 1.52 $ 63.2%
Djibouti is 63.2% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 2.00 $ 2.00 $ 0.0%
Djibouti is 0.0% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.65 $ 2.49 $ 6.4%
Djibouti is 6.4% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 0.0%
Djibouti is 0.0% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.69 $ 2.21 $ 23.5%
Djibouti is 23.5% cheaper
Milk (1L) 2.53 $ 3.01 $ 15.9%
Djibouti is 15.9% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 9.27 $ 2.35 $ 294.5%
Djibouti is 294.5% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 3.76 $ 2.92 $ 28.8%
Djibouti is 28.8% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 6.85 $ 3.35 $ 104.5%
Djibouti is 104.5% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.52 $ 19.37 $ 50.9%
Djibouti is 50.9% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 18.15 $ 11.15 $ 62.8%
Djibouti is 62.8% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 12.07 $ 15.21 $ 20.6%
Djibouti is 20.6% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 3.74 $ 4.57 $ 18.2%
Djibouti is 18.2% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.22 $ 2.97 $ 58.9%
Djibouti is 58.9% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 2.81 $ 4.51 $ 37.7%
Djibouti is 37.7% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.59 $ 2.71 $ 41.3%
Djibouti is 41.3% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.22 $ 2.39 $ 49.0%
Djibouti is 49.0% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.37 $ 2.20 $ 37.7%
Djibouti is 37.7% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 5.62 $ 1.86 $ 202.2%
Djibouti is 202.2% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 21.18 $ 93.46 $ 77.3%
Djibouti is 77.3% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 2.70 $ 13.05 $ 79.3%
Djibouti is 79.3% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.28 $ 1.56 $ 82.1%
Djibouti is 82.1% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 2.81 $ 3.58 $ 21.5%
Djibouti is 21.5% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 5.62 $ 0.78 $ 620.5%
Djibouti is 620.5% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 28.08 $ 16.28 $ 72.5%
Djibouti is 72.5% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.71 $ 2.22 $ 23.0%
Djibouti is 23.0% cheaper
New Economy Car 33,658.04 $ 140,192.38 $ 76.0%
Djibouti is 76.0% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 32,753.28 $ 128,887.54 $ 74.6%
Djibouti is 74.6% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 520.69 $ 158.22 $ 229.1%
Djibouti is 229.1% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 31.82 $ 18.54 $ 71.6%
Djibouti is 71.6% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 58.96 $ 37.95 $ 55.4%
Djibouti is 55.4% more expensive
Gym Membership 86.10 $ 115.77 $ 25.6%
Djibouti is 25.6% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 23.86 $ 12.22 $ 95.3%
Djibouti is 95.3% more expensive
Movie Ticket 8.42 $ 11.68 $ 27.9%
Djibouti is 27.9% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 334.44 $ 1,272.43 $ 73.7%
Djibouti is 73.7% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 8,767.37 $ 29,780.50 $ 70.6%
Djibouti is 70.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 42.11 $ 80.91 $ 48.0%
Djibouti is 48.0% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 19.65 $ 42.93 $ 54.2%
Djibouti is 54.2% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 123.54 $ 105.33 $ 17.3%
Djibouti is 17.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 56.15 $ 126.28 $ 55.5%
Djibouti is 55.5% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,431.90 $ 3,140.74 $ 54.4%
Djibouti is 54.4% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 477.30 $ 2,267.71 $ 79.0%
Djibouti is 79.0% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 992.03 $ 6,205.41 $ 84.0%
Djibouti is 84.0% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,483.94 $ 3,723.55 $ 60.1%
Djibouti is 60.1% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 12,643.65 $ 22,697.92 $ 44.3%
Djibouti is 44.3% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 11,184.79 $ 15,076.91 $ 25.8%
Djibouti is 25.8% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 4,978.98 $ 4,151.48 $ 19.9%
Djibouti is 19.9% more expensive
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 9.60 3.17 202.8%
Djibouti is 202.8% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Singapore. Enter your monthly expenses in Djibouti to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Djibouti and Singapore goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Djibouti vs Singapore

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Djibouti

Singapore

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.